GP numbers fell during the pandemic despite improvements in recruitment of trainees, according to new figures.

Overall there was a reduction of 1.4% in the number of fulltime equivalent posts filled by GPs and registrars in the 12 months leading to June, leaving the workforce at 33,515. The detailed NHS Digital figures show numbers falling by 812 between March and June. Numbers normally fall during the summer as GPs take retirement – but a year earlier they had reduced by 622.

The figures suggest that campaigns to encourage doctors to stay in work – or return to work – during the pandemic may have had limited success in the field of general practice. The British Medical Association blamed a poor pay deal for the continuing reduction.

The data shows a 2.6% increase in practice nurse numbers – reaching 16,774 fulltime equivalent staff. There was a 2.2% increase in practice administrative staff, reaching 68,657 fulltime equivalent staff in June. Separate data for primary care networks showed a small number of doctors taking direct employment by PCNs – 61 were recorded as employed as clinical directors by the end of June.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of its GP committee, said: “Before covid-19, GPs were contending with chronic underfunding, rising patient demand, and toppling workloads, all of which has been exacerbated by the virus, with many surgeries going above the call of duty to keep patients safe. This further drop of 1.4% FTE GPs since March speaks for itself, and yet, despite the clear need to do more to attract and retain more GPs, the government have just undermined morale further by failing to use the DDRB recommendations to recognise the incredible work GPs and their teams have done during the pandemic.”